Antonio Hester. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Magnolia overcame a 10-point deficit late in regulation to stun Terrafirma with a 121-115 overtime victory that kept its chances of a twice-to-beat advantage alive in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Hotshots escaped the jaws of defeat behind import Antonio Hester and overall team defense and eliminated the Dyip from quarterfinal contention despite being down 107-97 with over three minutes remaining in the fourth.
It was Hester who scored the tying basket at 110-all after Adrian Wong took the ball away from import Jordan Williams before the Hotshots wrested control in the extra five-minute period to secure a sixth win in 10 games, tying the Meralco Bolts and Converge FiberXers for fifth.
“We really had a bad game and we couldn’t execute on both ends of the floor,” coach Chito Victolero said in Filipino. “But because of the heart and the will of my players, we were able to force overtime and eventually got the win.”
Magnolia can put itself in a good position to compete for the quarterfinal bonus with a win over lowly Blackwater on Wednesday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Hotshots will also need favorable results of the other remaining games of the elims to sneak a top four slot.
Terrafirma missed the quarters for the 15th straight conference after falling to 2-8 in a horrific way. The Dyip were in control in the second half and they were poised to go home with a win to stay in the hunt for the quarters.
But Terrafirma blew its chances and allowed a pesky Magnolia side to come back, spoiling a 45-point effort from Williams.
The Dyip did lead 111-110 on a Williams free throw to start overtime, but the Hotshots scored eight in a row courtesy of Calvin Abueva, Mark Barroca, Hester and Aris Dionisio.
Dionisio’s jumper with 25 seconds to go made it 118-111 for Magnolia to virtually hand Terrafirma a fatal blow.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 121 — Hester 40, Lee 16, Abueva 16, Barroca 15, Jalalon 13, Dionisio 8, Wong 6, Dela Rosa 3, Corpuz 3, Escoto 0, Reavis 0, Laput 0, Mendoza 0.
TERRAFIRMA 115 — Williams 45, Tiongson 19, Camson 11, Cabagnot 10, Ferrer 8, Daquioag 7, Cahilig 5, Gabayni 4, Alolino 2, Calvo 2, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 28-26, 51-50, 74-85, 110-110 (Reg), 121-115 (OT).